Firefighters find body at blast site

Fire and sheriff's investigators were combing the scene in Pinellas Park where firefighters discovered a body in the debris of a building that exploded Saturday night.

The explosion and fire also destroyed the neighboring home of a 90-year-old woman and damaged at least six other buildings around the blast site. Debris was scattered for a quarter-mile.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Shirley Eileen Grace was not injured but her home was a total loss.

About three hours after the explosion, investigators discovered a body in the debris of the single-story building, the Sheriff's Office said. It would take time to identify the body because of its condition, authorities said.

Just before midnight, the Pinellas 911 lines received reports of an explosion in Pinellas Park and deputies also reported hearing the blast.

The explosion occurred at Rapid Roy's, a small-engine repair shop, the Sheriff's Office said. Investigators from the agency's homicide and arson units were working at the scene along with an investigator from the state Fire Marshal's Office.

A neighbor, Korkie North, said the blast sent a giant flame into the air and scattered debris into a nearby park filled with camper trailers.

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